If you’re looking for a fun Thanksgiving activity, making Indian corn necklaces can be a great way to get your family together and celebrate the holiday. Here are some easy steps for creating these festive pieces of jewelry.

WHAT IS INDIAN CORN?

Indian corn is a type of maize with brightly colored kernels, in shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. Thanks to its vibrant color, Indian corn is a great resource for creating sustainable jewelry, and making Indian corn necklaces is a fun creative task for children of all ages.

HOW TO MAKE INDIAN CORN NECKLACES

So, here’s how to make these fun accessories at home: first of all, you’ll want to gather the following materials:

  • One cob of Indian corn. If you’re making more than two necklaces, you’ll need more than one cob – one single corn cob will be able to make around 2 average-sized necklaces.
  • String for the necklace. This can be any string or twine of your choosing.
  • Scissors – you’ll need a pair to cut the string down to size.
  • A thimble (optional – you may need to use this to help pull the string through the corn kernel).
  • Sandpaper (optional – this can be used to smooth out any rough or sharp edges on the pieces of corn.)
  • Needle – a thinner needle is better for working with corn kernels.
  • Clasps or fastenings. You’ll need these to be able to tie your necklace together.

Once you’ve gathered all your materials, place them on a clean, spacious surface and you’re ready to assemble your necklaces. Here’s a step-by-step guide for assembly:

BOIL YOUR CORN

The first step you need to take is to boil your Indian corn kernels. Without being boiled, they’ll be too firm and rigid to push a needle through, so pop them into a pan on the stove for about 30 minutes. You can check if they’re done by removing one or two kernels and attempting to push your needle through the middle; if the needle glides seamlessly through the kernel, they’re ready.

CUT YOUR STRING OR TWINE

While waiting for your corn to boil, you can get proactive with the other necklace materials. This is a good time to cut your string with your scissors, and decide how long you want your necklace to be. Bear in mind that one corn cob can make 2 average-sized necklaces, so if you’re making more than one, it’s a good idea to keep all necklaces roughly the same length.

CREATE HOLES IN THE CORN

Unlike plastic beads, corn kernels don’t come with an easy hole to pull string through; this means you’ll need to make the holes yourself. Once you’re sure that your corn is ready, take it off the boil and pat it dry. If you notice any corn kernels that have sharp edges, you can use some sandpaper to even out any rough points. This is important if you’re making the corn necklaces for children – you don’t want them to end up getting scratched by their new piece of jewelry!

It’s a good idea to prioritize the softest pieces of corn, as this will make assembly easier. Don’t worry if certain corn kernels are too hard and don’t want to cooperate; just pick a softer piece and continue assembling your necklace. Pushing the needle through a hard corn kernel can result in you injuring yourself or damaging the needle, so there’s no use trying to force it.

START ADDING CORN KERNELS

Tie a knot at one end of your necklace string, and work the first corn kernel through the needle – you can also use a thimble to help you if necessary. Add as many corn kernels as you like, and feel free to get creative with the patterns. It’s a good idea to set out a pattern idea before assembling; this will ensure that you won’t want to waste time removing kernels or starting over again to achieve the pattern you want. Leave an inch or so of string, so that you tie the necklace once complete.

ADD YOUR CLASP AND TRIM

Once you’ve finished, add your necklace clasp and trim away any visible string, and you’re finished! You can use this method to make Indian corn necklaces, bracelets, anklets, and more. While we do admit that Indian corn necklaces aren’t as luxe or timeless as 22k gold necklaces, they’re still a fun way to learn basic jewelry making.

Make sure to supervise carefully if you’re making these necklaces with children, and of course, don’t forget to have fun!